Michigan

Live chat: Muskegon hosts Grand Rapids Union with boys basketball district title on line in Game of Week

Deshaun Thrower, of Muskegon, dribbles the ball up the court as Isaak Newhouse, of Grand Haven, attempts to defend during a Class A boys basketball district game March 3, 2014. MLive File Photo | nkolb@mlive.com

A complete effort by Muskegon. For a team that is considered one of the favorites to win a state championship, they really took care of business tonight from start to finish. The Big Reds won't celebrate this district championship too much, but its the first step to where they want to be.

END OF THIRD

MUSKEGON 55 UNION 28

Halftime didn't do anything to change the complexity of this gam. Muskegon continues to play well. Union is playing hard but is just over matched at this point. Big Reds getting scoring from all over the place and Davis continues to dominate the paint. He has 13 blocks. The fourth quarter is just a formality at this point. Big Reds are moving on to regionals.

HALFTIME

MUSKEGON 35 UNION 12

Second quarter was more of the same between the Big Reds and Redhawks. Deyonta Davis has just four points but is dominating the paint with nine blocks. Thrower leads Muskegon with 13 points and others are chipping in as well. That had to have been one of the Muskegon's best halves of the season and with the home crowd behind them its been tough for Union to stick with them. Just for good measure, Jordan Waire made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to extend the lead. If Muskegon plays like this, its going to be tough for anyone in the state to beat them. We'll see if its more of the same in the second half.

END OF FIRST

MUSKEGON 18 GRAND RAPIDS UNION 6

Grand Rapids Union scored the first basket of the game but it was all Big Reds from there. Zone defense seemed to work early on but outside shooting by Deshaun Thrower and William Roberson nullified that. Deyonta Davis is absolutely dominating the paint. He had seven first quarter blocks. Worst case scenario for the Redhawks. Gym is electric and everything is going right for Muskegon. Union needs to turn this around quickly if it wants to have a chance.

PREGAME

The Muskegon boys basketball team has its sights set on a state championship.

But, first, the top-ranked Big Reds (22-0) need to win a district title.

Muskegon will try and do that Friday, March 7 when it takes on Grand Rapids Union in a Class A district title game on its home court in the MLive Muskegon Chronicle Game of the Week.

Tip-off from Redmond-Potter Gymnasium is scheduled for 7 p.m.

MLive Muskegon Chronicle reporters will be on hand to provide play-by-play updates and analysis from the contest. They'll also be keeping an eye on the eight other district final games involving Muskegon-area teams and provide updates as they become available.

Muskegon is led by the Division I-bound tandem of senior Deshaun Thrower (Stony Brook) and junior Deyonta Davis (Michigan State), and sports a strong supporting cast. Brad Buurstra, DeQuaveon Stuckey, Curtis Davison and Rashaud Orange, a Grand Valley State recruit, are players to watch for Union.

Buurstra led the Redhawks (12-8) with 22 points in their district semifinal win against Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills.

Muskegon rolled past Reeths-Puffer, 74-41, in the district semifinals and defeated Union 71-57 and 69-64 in the regular season.